Richard Heckhaus, LT USN, RET's Obituary
Richard Heckhaus, LT USN, RET, 78, passed away peacefully in his home in Annapolis, on April 8, 2013.
Rich was born May 29, 1934 in Astoria, N.Y. the middle son of Philip L. Heckhaus and the former Mary O’Dea. He was raised in Bayside, N.Y. and was a graduate of Brooklyn Technical High School.
Entering active duty in February 1957, he attended school at Imperial Beach, CA, returning to New York briefly to marry the former Virginia Thompson on May 25, 1957. The following 21 years were filled with fun and adventure as they traveled to Germany, Maine, the Philippines, Japan, Hawaii and Maryland, back to Hawaii, then Guam; finally settling in Rockville, MD. While on active duty he received bachelor and master degrees in administration. He retired from the Navy in 1978.
In civilian life Rich worked for Vitro Corp., TRACOR Applied Sciences, Bechtel, and then fulfilled a dream 0f owning his own business, “Rich’s Home Improvement.” In 2001 they retired to Annapolis, and spent twelve wonderful years.
Rich loved boating and The Bay and was a Life Member of the United States Power Squadron with 27 Merit Marks. He was Commander of the Potomac River Power Squadron from 1986-87 and in 1989 won the Potomac N Club Navigation Championship, the last winner of record for this award. In 2000-2001 he was Commodore of the Chesapeake Cruiser Association. As a member of the Naval Cryptologic Veterans Association since 1981, he had missed only a few of the annual reunions and always looked forward to seeing old friends and swapping “sea stories.” Shortly after moving to Annapolis, he became very active in the volunteer efforts and social activities of our warm and friendly community.
Rich is survived by Virginia, his wife of 55 years; their five children, Richard (Melanie) Germantown, MD, Mark (Mary) Germantown, MD, Jean Heckhaus, Pasadena, MD, Christine (Mike), Rockville, MD, and Paul (Amy), Halethorpe, MD and 11 grandchildren; Jesse and Ryan Heckhaus, Mickey, Amy, and Christopher Heckhaus, T.J. and Andrew Schultz, Mark and Paige Henry, and Gwen and Ana Heckhaus. He is also survived by his brothers, Philip of New Bern, NC and Donald of Phoenix, AZ, his mother-in-law, Norma Thompson of Annapolis, nieces and nephews and a multitude of friends both near and far.
A memorial service will be held on Wed. April 17, 2013 at 9:00 a.m. at St. John Neumann Catholic Church at 620 Bestgate Road in Annapolis.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, 1500 Rosecrans Ave. Suite 200, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266, Toll Free 877/272-6226, www.pancan.org/section_donate/donate_now.php#
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